Eyelash applicator



May 12., 1970 R. .1.l PANDA 3,511,248

EYELASH APPLICATOR Filed June ll. 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 givre/Vibe.

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EYELASH APPLICATOR Filed June 11, 1969 2. Sheng-Sheet fv 30A/ALD ef, 10AM/DA,

United States Patent O 3,511,248 EYELASH APPLICATOR Ronald J. Panda, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to James P. Westmoreland, Jr., Beverly Hills, Calif. Filed June 11, 1969, Ser. No. 834,228 Int. Cl. A45d 44/00 U.S. Cl. 132-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an artificial eyelash applicator, wherein holding the artificial eyelash, aligning the artificial eyelash and applying the artificial eyelash is readily accomplished. The device includes both a means for holding and releasing the artificial eyelash and a means for applying pressure simultaneously and evenly to the entire eyelid via the artificial eyelash.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most tedious and difficult tasks of the present cosmetic arts is the application of artificial eyelashes to the eyelid. Within recent years the use of artificial eyelashes has become much more common due to the availability of such eyelashes, the reduction of costs of such eyelashes and the greater emphasis upon individual cosmetics and styling. At present, one of the main retarding factors in the Widespread use of artificial eyelashes is the great difficulty of applying the eyelash to the eyelid. At present anywhere from six months to a year may be required before a person can become proficient in the application of false eyelashes to the eyelid. Even after such protracted periods of practice in the application of artificial eyelashes many users cannot effectively and efficiently apply the false eyelash to the eyelid. Even those who are proficient and have acquired the requisite skills require a substantial period of time to apply the artificial eyelash to the eyelid and often have mishaps at the most inopportune times.

The difiiculty in applying artificial eyelashes to the eyelid arises from a number of factors. The artificial eyelash itself is a delicate article and difficult to handle. The eyelash must be applied along a precise contour which is three dimensional in character and of a very limited dimension. The eye and the eyelash when open do not remain perfectly still when the artificial eyelash approaches the eye. All of these factors, which add to the difiiculty of applying an artificial eyelash to the eyelid, are further accentuated by the fact that an Vadhesive layer is applied to the selvedge edge or thin band of the artificial eyelash. The use of adhesive results in misalignment of the eyelash, ruining the previous eye makeup and the depositing of a layer of adhesive on the eye -which may cause inconvenience, pain or injury. One more complicating factor results from the unsteadiness of the normal hand when in an unsupported position which is common in the application of an artificial eyelash.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The prior art has attempted to solve the problem of eyelash application in general by providing a member for holding and releasing the eyelash. One such attempt is shown in the prior art in U.S. Patent No. 2,094,409 to F. B. Phillips, Sr., issued on Sept. 28, 1937. Holding devices such as that shown in the aforementioned patent do help to hold the eyelash, but such devices are of little help in aligning the eyelash or in applying pressure to the eyelid simultaneously and evenly. In addition, such devices are generally employed with the eye open which presents many problems as discussed above.

3,511,248 Patented May 12, 1970 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The above problems are largely solved by this invention which generally comprises:

A first means for mechanically simultaneously applying pressure to substantially the entire eyelid; and

A second means for holding and releasing the artificial eyelash. The second means is operatively coupled to the first means to enable the first means to apply pressure to the eyelid via the artificial eyelash, whereby an artificial eyelash may be held and positioned with respect to the eye and then pressure applied to the eyelid and the eyelash released.

This generalized strutcure is employed in a method which comprises placing an artificial eyelash in an applicator to' be held thereby supporting the applicator without the eyelash touching the eyelid, closing the eye to which the eyelash is to be applied and aligning the eyelash with the other eye open and pressing the eyelash simultaneously over the entire eyelid when once aligned.

Using the above described structure and method has provide to be extremely effective in solving the problem of applying false eyelashes to the eyelid. The device and method are employed with the eye closed. This reduces the severity of the alignment problem and the possibility of eye injury or harm. The structure permits the eyelash t0 be carefully aligned before it contacts the eyelid. Once in proper alignment, a simple depression motion applies the artificial eyelash to the whole of the eyelid simultaneously with an even pressure. The tool is easy to handle requiring no special degree of manual dexterity and a person may learn to employ the tool within a very short time, such as a few uses of the applicator. The process of applying the artificial eyelash is no longer a one-shot, win or lose, proposition, but the eyelash may be carefully adjusted until in proper position with respect to the eyelid and then applied. The invented device includes adequate resting and aligning surfaces to facilitate the alignment. All in all, a simple and effective tool and method are provided for solving the problem of applying artificial eyelashes to the eyelid. These and other advantages will be understood when the detail specification is considered in connection with the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the general relationship of the eyelid, the artificial eyelash and the eyelash applicator;

FIG. 2 is a top View of the eyelash applicator;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation View taken through lines 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a right end view of the eyelash applicator;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the eyelash applicator;

FIGS. 6 through 9 show the method of applying an eyelash to the eyelid in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective View of the artificial eyelash gripping tool.

Referring to the drawings, broadly the eyelash applicator comprises a first means 10 for mechanically simultaneously applying pressure to substantially the entire eyelid (FIG. l). Also included is a second means 12 for holding and releasing the artificial eyelash. The second means 12 is operatively coupled to the first means 10 to enable the first means 10 to apply pressure to the eyelid 14 via artificial eyelash 16. More specifically, the first means 10 comprises a piston 18 having a first end 20` and a second end 22 (FIG. 2). The entire piston is slideable along an axis 24 within a receptacle 26 which cooperates with piston 18 to form second means 12. A resilient means such as spring 28 is positioned intermediate first end 20 of piston 18 and end 30 of receptacle 26. The spring 28 en- 3 ables piston 18 to assume a first extended position as shown in FIG. 2 wherein end 22 of the piston extends beyond end 32 of receptacle 26 and a second compressed position as shown in FIG. 8. The end 32 is part of depressable means 34 which forms part of receptacle 26. Depressable means 34 comprises a manually operable lever 36 which is mounted on shaft 38 which rotates in a pair of supports 40 and 42. The lever 36 has affixed thereto a contoured plate 44 which is biased into a closed position (FIG. 3). A spring 46 positioned about the shaft 38 and compressed between the underside of lever 36 and the top side of receptacle 26 holds plate 44 in close proximity to the contoured upper surface 48 of piston 18.

The piston 18 has a guide means 50 in the form of a pin 52 and a slot 54. This arrangement limits the movement of the piston 18 to a prescribed range and fixes the piston within the receptacle. The spring 28 is supported in position by a pin 56 which maintains a spring 28 in proper position with respect to the piston.

The piston 18 and the receptacle 26 have an ellipticallike or eye socket-like cross section which is substantially similar in overall configuration and specifically adapted for compatibility with the eye socket. It is desired that the cross-sectional contour of the applicator be such that when one portion of the applicator or hand rests upon a portion of the eye socket, a cheek bone or other facial structure, the eyelash within the applicator is positioned adjacent the eyelid where the artificial eyelash is to be placed. With the applicator (or hand) resting upon a portion of the socket of the eye (or other rigid facial bones), the applicator may be precisely positioned so that the artificial eyelash is in precise alignment with the eyelid. In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 5, the lower edge 58 of the applicator is positioned to rest on a portion of the eye socket or cheek bone below the eye while the upper surface 48y receives the eyelash and is positioned adjacent the portion of the eyelid to receive the artificial eyelash. It is of course possible within the scope of the invention to rest the applicator on bone structures above the eyelid or to the side of the eyelid. However, it has been found by resting the eyelash applicator on bone structures below the eyelid, it is possible to readily align the artificial eyelash with respect to the eyelid.

It should be noted that it is not only the cross section of the piston 18 and receptacle 26 that is contoured to be compatible with the eye, but also (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5) the ends 22 and 32 are contoured to contact substantially all of the eyelid simultaneously. This enables pressure to be applied to the eyelid substantially simultaneously over the entire eyelid, whereby pressure may be applied to the artificial eyelash 16 and to the eyelid to firmly secure the artificial eyelash thereto. The artificial eyelash is placed between contoured plate 44 and piston surface 48 with its selvedge exposed. The curled part of the artificial eyelash oriented and positioned under plate 44 to enable it to be in proper relation to the natural eyelash when pressed against the eyelid.

With the above described structure in mind, the operation of the eyelash applicator may be readilyunderstood by reference to FIGS. 6-9 wherein a method for applying an artificial eyelash to the eyelid is illustrated. First, the eyelash 16 is grasped by the individual employing tool 60. The tool 60 is made of spring-like material, either plastic or metal, with ends 62 and 64 having a configuration substantially identical with the selvedge 17 of eyelash 16 (FIGS. 6 and l0). With the eyelash gripped by tool 60 the individual will with the other hand hold the eyelash applicator and operate depressable means 34 to lift end 32 of receptacle 26 so that the eyelash 16 may be positioned on piston 18. The selvedge 17 is positioned so that it is closely adjacent the end of the receptacle (FIG. 7). With the eyelash in position between the receptacle 26 and piston 18, a fbead of adhesive may be placed over the selvedge 17. (The applicator may of course be used with self-adhering types of artificial eyelashes.) Once the adhesive is applied, the applicator is moved in position adjacent the eyelid 14 with the eye closed, but with the other eye open. The lower edge 58 of the applicator is positioned upon a portion of the cheek bone or socket of the eye. The selvedge 17 of the artificial eyelash is slightly removed from the closed eyelid to permit proper alignment without the adhesive touching eyelid 14 which detrimentally affects the makeup. It should be noted that prior to applying the artificial eyelash 16, eyeliner and other makeup has been applied to the eye. The eyeliner serves as a reference line for applying the artificial eyelash. It is preferable that the selved ge 17 be aligned slightly below the eyeliner or in an overlapping relationship thereto. It should be noted that the construction of the applicator is such that it may readily be handled and gripped by an individual and does not Irequire a skilled dexterity.

Once the eyelash is properly aligned with the eyeliner by viewing the closed eye through a mirror with the open eye, the receptacle 26 is gently pushed to the right (FIG. 8) to evenly apply pressure simultaneously along the entire eyelid via the selvedge 17. The movement toward the right is a gentle pressing accomplished by moving the entire hand rather than a pinching or jabbing type of manipulation. This facilitates even application of pressure along with positioning the eyelash simultaneously over the entire eyelid. The placement of the eyelash with one eye closed along with the light spring loading of piston 18 prevents any possibility of injury to the eye.

Once the pressure is applied to the eyelid by eyelash selvedge 17 the receptacle is moved to the left (FIG. 9) and the depressable means 34 is operated so that the artificial eyelash is released and the upper eyelid is cleared by depressable means 34. It should be noted initially that when the receptacle is moved to the left the piston 18 may remain in contact with the artificial eyelash 16 until the receptacle is moved suiciently to the left or until depressable means 34 is operated so that piston 18 and receptacle 26 may be readily removed.

The above procedure is repeated for the other eye. It should be noted in FIG. 2 that on the applicator there are marks for aligning the eyelashes with the left and right eyes, For the left eye the eyelash has one of its ends positioned adjacent mark L while the eyelash for the right eye has one of its ends positioned adjacent the mark designated R.

Fundamental to the above method and construction is the application of the eyelash with one of the eyes closed. It has been found that with the eye closed there is very little variation in the contour of the eye from person to person. This enables one applicator to be employed for all persons. It is estimated that there is less than 1/32 of an inch variation in the contour of the eye in normal persons. This discovery has been utilized in the present invention and provides a tool which may readily be handled by persons with minimal dexterity. The tool enables the delicate task of applying an eyelash to be readily accomplished with maximum ease. The eyelash may be positioned relative to the eye until proper alignment is obtained and then simultaneously pressure is applied to all parts of the artificial eyelash and the eyelid over the entire surface in a substantially even manner. The eyelash is securely placed in position over its entire contour. The invented tool facilitates all aspects of application of the artificial eyelash to the eyelid and does this with a maximum of safety. There are, of course, many other advantages to this tool which in essence semi-automates the application of eyelashes. In tests of the device persons who have heretofore been virtually unable to apply artificial eyelashes have readily placed such artificial eyelashes in perfect alignment on their eyelid with a minimum of training.

There are of course other embodiments and variations of the present invention. For example, the piston 18 may be constructed to be operated by a finger operated plunger which extends out through the end 30 of receptacle 26. In such an embodiment the end 32 of receptacle 26 would be cammed upwardly by the actuation of the plunger so that the eyelash would be freed for placement on the eyelid. This embodiment would have the disadvantage of being inger operated rather than hand operated. The utilization of a nger to apply pressure can result in a misadjustment of the articial eyelash.

There are of course many other variations of the form that the piston or slideable member may take as Well as the receptacle. In addition, it is possible to form a version of the invention in which the piston 18 is xed in position or is only flexible rather than slideable. Such constructions of course include the inventions aligning features for positioning the eyelash with one eye closed (e.g., contouring) and for releasing the eyelash once positioned against the eyelid.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for applying artificial eyelashes to an eyelid comprising:

a piston means for movement along its axis and having a surface for receiving an eyelash, said piston means having a iirst end and a second end;

receptacle means for receiw'ng said piston means to enable said piston means to slide from a first position to at least a second position; and

means coupled to said piston means for enabling said piston means to selectively assume said two positions, said rst position being a normal position and said second position being a position achieved by pressing said piston means against said eyelid.

2. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said piston means and said receptacle means have an elliptical-like cross section which approximates the shape of the eye socket.

3. The structure recited in claim 1 wherein said means coupled to said piston means comprises a spring positioned between said piston means and said receptacle means.

4. The structure recited in claim 1, wherein said receptacle means includes a ldepressable means for receiving an eyelash and for holding said eyelash in position between said piston means and said receptacle means, said depressable -means being actuatable to release said eyelash.

5. The structure recited in claim 1, wherein;

said piston means is a hollow piston having a cross section which approximates the shape of the eye socket;

said receptacle means is a hollow receptacle having a cross section substantially similar to that of said piston means having a closed end and open end and adapted to receive said piston means to enable said piston to slide within said receptacle and extend beyond said open end;

said means coupled to said piston comprises a spring means positioned within said receptacle adjacent said tirst end of said piston means and the closed end of said receptacle; and

said receptacle having the boundary of said open end formed in part by a flat member which is resiliently biased toward said piston and adapted to be manually operated.

6. The structure recited in claim S, wherein the size and shape of said piston and said receptacle means ena-bles said device to be readily grasped by the human hand.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,022,896 12/1935 Narhans 132-312 2,094,409 9/1937 Phillips 132-53 2,133,042 10/1938 Risberg 132-323 2,411,519 11/1946 Byron 132-323 2,684,679 7/1954 Kislig 132-312 F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner J. W. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 132-312 

